House Democrat Rips ‘Puppet President-Elect’ Trump For Following Elon Musk’s Lead On Spending Bill

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Rep. Daniel Goldman (D-NY) accused President-elect Donald Trump of being Elon Musk’s “puppet” on Wednesday after Trump followed Musk’s lead in opposing House Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) continuing resolution to keep the government open.

“As the shadow Pres-Elect, Elon Musk is now calling the shots for House Rs on government funding while Trump hides in Mar-a-Lago behind his handlers,” Goldman wrote on X in reply to Musk declaring, “Absolutely, this bill should NOT pass. A new bill that isn’t an insane crime against the American people should be done in 33 days.”

Goldman added, “It increasingly seems like we’re in for 4 years of an unelected oligarch running the country by pulling on his puppet’s strings.”

Soon after, Trump himself came out against the bill as well, effectively killing its chances of passing. Goldman reacted to Trump’s statement, which was released on X by Vice President-elect JD Vance, by saying, “And just a few hours later, the Puppet President-Elect weighs in to faithfully execute his benefactor Elon Musk’s orders.” Musk donated some $277 million during the 2024 election to back Trump and other Republican candidates.

Johnson’s proposal would keep the government funded at current levels through March 14th, and also added just over $100 billion in additional spending on disaster relief for hurricane victims in the southeast.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), whose state of Georgia was impacted by the hurricanes earlier in the year, also slammed the proposal saying, “It’s not a CR, which is a continuation of the budget. It’s turning into an omnibus.”

If Congress doesn’t come together on a bill to keep the government funded it will shutdown on December 20th.

Other House Democrats struck a similar tone to Goldman. Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL) said, “And just like that, Republican Unelected Co-President Elon Musk has killed the bill to keep the government from shutting down on Friday. All he had to do was make a few social media posts. Trump said he’d empower working people, all he’s done is empower the ultra wealthy.”

Rep. Don Byer (D-VA) added, “The richest man in the world says he wants to shut down the government, forcing millions of American workers – including our troops – to go without pay through the holidays. Republicans are following his orders. This is insane.”

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